Upcoming
Events
Upcoming 2026 Program Meetings
Friday, May 15th, 2026
Presented by Bill McKelvey
Location along the D&R Canal · Venue TBD
Friday, September 18th, 2026
Presented by Linda Barth
35 Waterview Boulevard, Parsippany, NJ
Friday, November 20th, 2026
Speaker & Details Coming Soon
April 18 (12:00–4:00 PM)
Canal Day Celebration
A free afternoon of local history, live entertainment, and guided tours in Montville Township
May 2, 2026
May Pathways of History
Lock 2 East - Pathways of History Hugh Force Canal Park
Explore historic Lock 2 East—also known as “Bird’s Lock,” named for the family who operated it—one of 23 lift locks along the Morris Canal and the western entrance to Port Oram (renamed Wharton in 1902 for Joseph Wharton).
Over the past 20 years, Wharton Borough has carefully restored the lock and its tender house using historic plans and photos. Completed last year, the tender’s house will be open to the public for only the second time during Pathways to History.
Volunteers will greet visitors at the entrance to Hugh Force Park, where a walk along one of the longest watered sections of the Morris Canal Greenway leads to the restored lock. Interpreters will explain how the lock operated, and guests can tour the furnished tender’s house to learn about daily life for a lock tender’s family.
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
Lake Hopatcong Block Party
Hopatcong State Park
The Lake Hopatcong Block Party celebrates all facets of Lake Hopatcong life by bringing visitors together with businesses, non-profit organizations, community groups, crafters, and food vendors for a community day like no other featuring activities, raffles, giveaways, a children’s scavenger hunt, and more.
June 17th & 18th, 2026
New Jersey History & Historic Preservation Conference
EVENT DETAILS COMING SOON
Join us June 17th & 18th, 2026 for the New Jersey History & Historic Preservation Conference, St. Elizabeth University, Morristown NJ. Event details coming soon.
June 27th, 2026
Waterloo Village Canal Day & 250th Celebration of America
EVENT DETAILS COMING SOON
Join us June 27th, 2026 for the Waterloo Village Canal Day & 250th Celebration of America! Event details coming soon.
More Events
Saturday, May 2nd or 16th:
(date to be determined soon): 3rd Annual Canoe Race. Commemorating the 52nd Anniversary of the D&R Canal State Park! Come join us for a paddling race on the D&R Canal Saturday, May 2nd or 16th, at 10 a.m. Proceeds go to the Canal Watch in support of projects in the park. You can choose from 8-mile or 1-mile race distances. Canoes, kayaks, and SUPs welcome. Race begins and ends at the Turning Basin, Alexander Road in Princeton, NJ. $35. Mandatory pre-Registration and additional details available: https://paddleguru.com/races/DandRCanalPark50thAnniversaryRace; 972-742-1500. (There is a “contact race” button on the page that directs to there as well.) Contact: Alan Lamb, Alan.Lamb3@gmail.com.
Sunday, June 28: 2:00 p.m.
Canal Watch Annual Meeting. Contact: Linda Barth, barthlinda123@aol.com; 908-240-0488.
Sunday, July 26th:
Canal Road Walk and Roll. 10:00-4:00. Canal Road will be closed from East Millstone to Butler Road. Enjoy a day with friends and family along the scenic D&R Canal with no cars!
Sunday, August 30th:
Canal Road Walk and Roll. 10:00-4:00. Canal Road will be closed from Griggstown Causeway to Route 518 in Rocky Hill. Enjoy a day with friends and family along the scenic D&R Canal with no cars!
Sunday, September 13th:
Canal House Challenge, 10:00-4:00. Five of the historic locktender and bridgetender homes will be open to the public. Pick up a passport at your first stop and have it stamped. If you visit all five buildings in one day, you will receive a small prize. Visitors will be invited to tour the homes in East Millstone, Blackwells Mills, Griggstown, Kingston, and Port Mercer (addresses will be provided in the August newsletter). The friends group in charge of each home will welcome visitors and provide a tour and history of the building.
Saturday-Sunday, October 10th-11th:
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday; noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Somerset County’s Journey Through the Past. Canal Watch members will open the East Millstone bridgetender’s home and station (and the historic outhouse, for observation only). Bob Barth, 201-401-3121, bbarth321@aol.com. (To see the many other historic sites that will be open, Google “Journey Through the Past, Somerset County, NJ.”)
Sunday, October 18th:
10:00 a.m. Bike Ride on the Feeder Canal. Starting and ending point for this round-trip ride to be determined. Helmet required. SAVE THE DATE. Tim Roth, timroth@comcast.net, 973-222-0586.
Saturday, October 24th:
Geology hike, 10:00 a.m. Meet at Prallsville Mills, Route 29, Stockton. During this geology walk, participants will learn about the four geologic units of the Newark Basin along the D&R Canal. Walk led by Pierre Lacombe, retired USGS geologist, pjlacombe25@gmail.com